Shock-absorbing hub.



. A. R. FELLOWS.

SHOCK ABSORBING HUB. A'PPLIOATIION FILED FEB. 17, 1910.

Patented Jan. 9, 1912.

I Qa ALLEN R. FELLOWS, OF SIOUX FALLS, $OUTH DAKOTA.

SHOCK-ABSORBING HUB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1912.

Application filed February 17, 1910. Serial No. 544,467.

To all whom it mayconccrn:

Be it known that I, A LEN R. FnLLoWs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Sioux Falls, in the county of Minnehaha and State ofSouth-Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inShock-Absorbing Hubs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to vehicle-wheels, but moreparticularly to the hubs thereof; and it consists essentially of thenovel construction of the several parts, their arrangement andcombination, as will be hereinafter fully described in thisspecification and briefly stated in the claims.

The chief object of the invention is the production of a hub which willabsorb the shock caused by the wheels striking objects while running,and thereby dispense with the Well-known cushion and inflated type oftires. Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon a fulldisclosure thereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an outer end view of my improved hub; Fig.2 is a vertical, longitudinal section; Fig. 3 is a central, transversesection; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the inner surface of one of thehubsections.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a hollow hub composedof two sections, alike in all respects, and firmly held together bybands 2, 2. The inner surface or wall of the hub, near each end, isprovided with an annular groove 3, in which is arranged an end plate 4,of less diameter than the annular groove, so as to allow fora certainamount of play, as will be hereinafter explained. Each end-plate iscentrally bored or apertured to receive a box or' casing 5, for thereception of the arm or spindle 6 of the axle 7, the box beingpreferably provided with a slot or groove 8 in which fits a key orspline 9 on'the axle, so that the axle and hub may turn together.

The box or casing is provided with a plurality of rows ofradially-projecting pins or posts 10, the outer ends of each row ofwhich, project into annular grooves 11, made in the inner wall of thehub, said grooves being of a de th sufficiently great to afford ampleplay or the outward movement of said pins or post. Springs 12,preferably coil-springs, are provided for taking up the shock. Thesesprings are generally arranged with one end resting against the box orcasingand the other end against a plate or washer 13, which is mountedloosely on the pin and bears upon or against the face edges of theannular groove 11. The box or casing is also provided, intermediate ofthe rows of pins or posts, with a plurality of radiallyprojectingpower-arms 14, preferably wedgeshape, whoseouter ends project intosockets or recesses 15, made in the inner wall of the hub. These powerarms, by engaging one end or the other of the sockets or recesses 15,serve as a power wheel to propel the hub and wheel when the axle isturned in either direction, said sockets being of sufiicient depth topermit ample outer movement of the power-arms, and of sufiicient lengthto allow for a slight rotary movement, in either direction, beforeengaging the ends of the sockets, so that any tendency to a jerkingmotion in starting, or jolting motion in stopping, is obviated Thebottom of the an nular grooves 3 may be lined with rubber, as 16, tocushion any slight jar which might occur when the edges or theend-plates are forced downward, and the inner surface or wall of thehub, at each end thereof, adj acent to the end-plates, is provided witha ring 17 holding a suitable absorbent substance, for absorbing any. oilor lubricant which may leak out of the hub.

My improved hub is equally adaptable to self-propelling wheels, in whichcase the power-wheel, and its coacting sockets may be dispensedwith.

It will be obvious that any shock received by the wheel striking anobstruction in the roadway, or in running over irregular or unevensurfaces, will be cushioned or absorbed by the springs, thus obtainingeasyriding qualities for the vehicle provided with wheels to which myhub is applied.

It will be noted that the end-plates not only serve to keep the wheel towhich the hub is applied in trim, but as dust-shields or guards toprevent dust and dirt getting into the interior of the hub. It will alsobe noted that at the time the arms of the power wheel engage the ends ofthe sockets, the hub will be firmly locked to the axle, and

will thereby be caused to revolve therewith.

wheel, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention orsacrificing the principle thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. Ashock-absorbing hub, comprising an outer hub and an inner casing, thehub being provided with annular grooves and the casing with disksoperative within said grooves, a plurality of radial arms integral withand projecting from the casing, sockets arranged in the inner wall ofthe hub, in which the arms are adapted to freely move, and s ringsencircling said arms, whereby the casing and the hub are sustained inconcentric relation. I

2. A shock-absorbing-h'ub, comprising an outer hub and an inner casing,the hub being provided with annular grooves in its inner wall and thecasing with disks operative within said grooves, a number of radial armsintegral with and projecting from the casing, sockets arranged in theinner wall of the hub, in which the arms are adapted to freely move,springs encircling said arms,

3. A shock-absorbing hub, comprising a longitudinally-divided hub havingits inner wall, near each end, provided with an annular groove, and withsockets, an axleboX provided with disks adapted to operate within thegrooves, a plurality of headed arms projecting radially from oppositeends of the axle-box and operative in said sockets, springs encirclingsaid arms, whereby said axle-box and the hub are sustained in concentricrelation, and means for locking the hub to the axle-box.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALLEN R. FELLOWS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

